Cheese Straws

Yields 20-24 straws

Ingredients

• 1 (14 oz.) package frozen puff pastry, defrosted completely
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 cup Parmesan, grated
• 1/2 cup Gruyere, shredded
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• flour, for dusting

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375º F.
2. On 1 or 2 lightly floured piece(s) of parchment paper, roll out each sheet of puff pastry to a 10x12-inch rectangle that is 1/8-inch thick.
3. In a small bowl or glass, beat together your egg and water, and brush it onto the puff pastry.
4. In a medium bowl, combine cheeses, cayenne, salt and pepper. Toss to mix thoroughly.
5. Spread cheese mixture out over the puff pastry and gently press it into the pastry to adhere.
6. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each sheet (horizontally) into 10-12 thin strips. 
7. Spread apart each strip so there’s 1-2-inches between them, twisting them before laying them back down on parchment paper.
8. Place in oven and back for 12-15 minutes, or until puffed up and golden brown. Turn each straw over and return to bake for another 2 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and let cool before serving.